For beginning handgunners dry-fire is the place to start. If you notice during dry-fire that you are having trouble controlling the sights during trigger squeeze, consider installing a Crimson Trace

The two-person trigger drill requires an experienced instructor to demonstrate proper trigger control as he increases pressure on the trigger finger as the student maintains proper sight alignment. It is one technique for developing good trigger control.

Lasergrip or other laser sight. Lasers can greatly enhance trigger control and sight alignment training. Simply pick a spot on the wall as an aiming point and with an unloaded gun (double- and triple-check your gun to be certain it is not loaded), dry-fire at that spot. Watch how the laser moves on the wall as you squeeze the trigger and work toward keeping it as still as possible during the firing stroke.

Dry-fire practice is also the place to learn about trigger reset. Trigger reset is very important any time you are firing more than one shot in succession. Each time a trigger is squeezed it must be reset in order to fire again. When you get a feel for where this rest is, it becomes much easier to properly manipulate the trigger for follow-up shots. To find a trigger's reset position hold the trigger in its most rearward position after it has been squeezed then slowly ease off on trigger pressure. When the trigger reaches reset you can feel, and most often hear, a click. This is the point where you should start the trigger pull for the next shot.

The two-man trigger is another way to develop good habits and can be used in dry-fire or live-fire drills but requires an experienced instructor. It works like this: Hold the handgun normally, with your finger on the trigger. The instructor places his finger over yours and applies pressure to the trigger as you maintain the sight alignment, teaching you what proper trigger control feels like. Don't be surprised if you shoot better when someone else is squeezing the trigger.

HELPFUL HINTS FOR THE HANDGUNNER
1. Dry-fire practice is invaluable. Do it often. 2. Rimfire pistols offer affordable practice. 3. Handguns with longer barrels are easier to shoot. 4. Defensive handgunners must balance accuracy with speed. 5. Lasers are helpful aids in learning trigger control and improving accuracy in low light. 6. Limit practice sessions to

An effective live-fire drill is using the shrinking target. Place a sheet of notebook paper at a distance where you feel confident. (Seven yards is a good starting distance.) The goal is to get five out of five shots in the paper. If you do it with ease the first time, speed up until you only hit four out of five times.

Continue at that speed until you achieve five out of five hits. Fold another sheet of paper in half and repeat. You can keep folding the paper in half as many times as you like. When you increase the distance go back to a full-size piece of paper. Incorporate a shot timer to record an exact measurement of the time it takes you to complete the drill.

Practice often, go easy on the trigger, and remember the front sight. The trigger tells your handgun when to send the bullet, and the front sight tells it where. They must work together with your eyes and your finger to produce hits you can be proud of.